Painting MDF

I am getting ready to start a build for our office. It will involve a murphy bed, built in desk, and built in storage. My wife would like it to be white with wood tops. I figured since It will be getting painted MDF would be the best way to go. Does this sound ok? Also what would be the most durable way to paint the MDF. I was thinking of looking at the rustoleum cabinet kits.ThanksGarrett

I’ve had good results with priming the MDF using Zinsser BIN and then used General Finishes Enduro Var Poly that was tinted white as the top coat. It came out great (look at my projects, well, the only one :)

As Jim said, I sprayed it through my Earlex 5500 (both the primer and the poly).

another tip. If any cut edges, bull nose, “end grain” will be exposed seal it first with a light coat of drywall compound. Just use your finger to rub it in then sand it smooth. It makes a nice finish.

I just finished SMS cabinets for my shop. I used MDF as the panel inside all of my doors…. I primed it, sanded it flat with high grit paper, did a few coats of good white paint with flotrol and thinned at 75/25, then brushed on some poly thinned to 75/25…..

It cam out very flat and smooth…. I lightly sanded between poly coats, but only to get out dust and freakin cat hairs hat no matter how I tried could not keep then all out!

Itf you can’t spray I would try that…. Be sure to prime well and seal MDF end grain….

Like others have said, I have also had great success without sealing the edges. The key is a good primer. (zinsser, Stix, etc..) As far as the paint goes, I’m a big fan of the Benjamin Moore Advance. It flattens beautifly and once fully cured, it is very hard/durable. The trick to it is not to apply heavy coats. If you put it on too heavy you can end up with some nasty sags.